The Next Big Thing

Mario Cantone, Halley Feiffer, Greg Naughton, Kelli O'Hara, Anthony Rapp, and Marian Seldes join Alice Ripley, Brian d'Arcy James and the cast of Next to Normal on their opening night.

By Joseph Marzullo,Brian Scott Lipton • Feb 14, 2008 • New York

On Wednesday night, Second Stage Theatre celebrated the opening of its much-awaited new musical Next to Normal. After the show, stars Alice Ripley and Brian d'Arcy James took a moment to relax.

Here's the show's supporting cast: Jennifer Damiano, Adam Chanler-Berat, Asa Somers, and Aaron Tveit.

The musical, first presented at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, was co-written by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt.

Director Michael Greif caught up with two of his favorite leading ladies: Daphne Rubin-Vega and Marian Seldes.

Anthony Rapp, who co-starred with Rubin-Vega in the original production of Rent (directed by Greif), was another opening night guest.

The lovely Halley Feiffer, who co-starred in the Second Stage production of subUrbia, was also on hand for the festivities.

Here's the hilarious Mario Cantone, who was a smash hit at last week's City Center Encores! presentation of Applause.

Finally, here's the beautiful and talented Kelli O'Hara, soon to be seen as Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center's revival of South Pacific, with handsome husband Greg Naughton.

For TheaterMania's review of Next to Normal, click here.